Environmental group sues over planned Birmingham beltline

52-mile stretch would link I-459 and I-59 northeast of city

The long-delayed road would connect with Interstate 459 southwest of Birmingham and Interstate 59 northeast of the city to complete a highway perimeter road around Alabama's largest metropolitan area. But environmental groups say the project would damage rivers, streams and wetlands along the highway's path in Jefferson County.

File photo | The Tuscaloosa News

By Jay Reeves | The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM | Environmental groups filed suit Friday to block a 52-mile highway that would complete a perimeter road around metro Birmingham, saying the government ignored clean water rules in approving a permit for initial construction.

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of Black Warrior Riverkeeper to block the six-lane highway.

The suit contends the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to follow the Clean Water Act and other laws when it approved permits for the first construction phase of the so-called Northern Beltline.

The long-delayed road would connect with Interstate 459 southwest of Birmingham and Interstate 59 northeast of the city to complete a highway perimeter road around Alabama's largest metropolitan area. But environmental groups say the project would damage rivers, streams and wetlands along the highway's path in Jefferson County.

Opponents also contend the project's cost, estimated at nearly $5.5 billion over three decades, would compound the environmental threat by draining money away from other projects.

The Corps of Engineers, which recently granted the permit, declined comment.

“We have not seen the lawsuit,” said Pat Robbins, a spokesman in the agency's Mobile office.

Nelson Brooke of the Riverkeeper organization said officials chose the route for the road that would be the most destructive to the environment of seven alternatives that were considered.

“The Northern Beltline will cross and permanently alter Black Warrior and Cahaba river tributaries in 67 places,” Brooke said in a statement.

Another lawsuit was filed two years ago seeking to block the project, which is supported by business groups as a way to stimulate development in an area north and west of Birmingham that remains forested and rural in many places. Different versions of the project have been considered for decades.

The Alabama Department of Transportation, which also is named in the lawsuit, said construction on the first, 1.3-mile section of the highway is scheduled to begin next year.

Aside from completing the Birmingham perimeter, the highway would connect with the soon-to-be completed Interstate 22, which links Birmingham and Memphis, Tenn.

<p>BIRMINGHAM | Environmental groups filed suit Friday to block a 52-mile highway that would complete a perimeter road around metro Birmingham, saying the government ignored clean water rules in approving a permit for initial construction. </p><p>The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of Black Warrior Riverkeeper to block the six-lane highway. </p><p>The suit contends the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to follow the Clean Water Act and other laws when it approved permits for the first construction phase of the so-called Northern Beltline. </p><p>The long-delayed road would connect with Interstate 459 southwest of Birmingham and Interstate 59 northeast of the city to complete a highway perimeter road around Alabama's largest metropolitan area. But environmental groups say the project would damage rivers, streams and wetlands along the highway's path in Jefferson County. </p><p>Opponents also contend the project's cost, estimated at nearly $5.5 billion over three decades, would compound the environmental threat by draining money away from other projects. </p><p>The Corps of Engineers, which recently granted the permit, declined comment. </p><p>“We have not seen the lawsuit,” said Pat Robbins, a spokesman in the agency's Mobile office. </p><p>Nelson Brooke of the Riverkeeper organization said officials chose the route for the road that would be the most destructive to the environment of seven alternatives that were considered. </p><p>“The Northern Beltline will cross and permanently alter Black Warrior and Cahaba river tributaries in 67 places,” Brooke said in a statement. </p><p>Another lawsuit was filed two years ago seeking to block the project, which is supported by business groups as a way to stimulate development in an area north and west of Birmingham that remains forested and rural in many places. Different versions of the project have been considered for decades. </p><p>The Alabama Department of Transportation, which also is named in the lawsuit, said construction on the first, 1.3-mile section of the highway is scheduled to begin next year. </p><p>Aside from completing the Birmingham perimeter, the highway would connect with the soon-to-be completed Interstate 22, which links Birmingham and Memphis, Tenn.</p>